Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Mt Axel
Introduction of the project
Mt Axel is an Istanbul- and Athens-based DJ and producer, shaping a distinctive sound that moves between Afro House, melodic elements, and emotional storytelling. Blending organic textures with electronic structures, his music is driven by rhythm, atmosphere, and feeling.
With a background rooted in live instrumentation and a deep connection to different musical cultures, Mt Axel has been steadily building his presence across international stages, sharing lineups with globally recognized artists and connecting with diverse audiences.
His work goes beyond genre boundaries, focusing instead on creating immersive journeys, from intimate listening moments to powerful club experiences. Each set and release reflects an evolving artistic vision, shaped by movement, travel, and a constant search for deeper connection.
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
I think my earliest memory connected to music goes back to my childhood, sitting in the car during long drives with my family. There was always music playing, not something I consciously analyzed back then, but something I deeply felt.
I remember being completely absorbed in certain melodies without even understanding why. That feeling of getting lost in sound, of time slowing down… I think that’s where everything started for me.
Later on, I realized it was never just about listening, it was about emotion, atmosphere, and connection. That early curiosity eventually turned into a need to create my own world through music.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
It started quite naturally. At some point, just listening wasn’t enough for me anymore, I felt this urge to go deeper and understand what was happening behind the music.
Before stepping fully into electronic music, I was also playing bass guitar in local rock bands. That period gave me a strong foundation, both in terms of studio discipline and live performance experience. Being on stage and working with other musicians really shaped how I approach music today.
I began experimenting on my own, trying to recreate the sounds and emotions that moved me. At first it was very raw and instinctive, but over time it became something essential in my life.
Creating music eventually turned into a form of expression for me, a way to translate feelings, moments, and energy into something tangible. It stopped being a hobby and became a necessity.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
Mt Axel is a reflection of a journey rather than a fixed concept. It came out of a desire to merge different influences, emotional depth, rhythmic energy, and a sense of atmosphere, into one cohesive sound. My background, from playing in rock bands to exploring electronic music, naturally shaped this project. I was always drawn to contrast, organic and electronic elements, light and dark emotions, structure and freedom. Mt Axel became the space where all of these could coexist.
At its core, the project is about creating moments. Whether it’s on the dancefloor or through headphones, I want people to feel something real, something that stays with them beyond the track itself. It’s still evolving, and that’s what keeps it exciting for me.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
I’d describe my sound as something that moves between worlds. It can live in a dark, crowded club at 3AM, but it also belongs to those quiet, personal moments, like a long road trip, or a memory you didn’t expect to feel again.
I’m drawn to creating music that travels with people. Something that can touch different states of life from movement to stillness, from connection to introspection. Whether you’re dancing, driving, or just lost in your own thoughts, it becomes part of that moment.
For me, it’s less about genre and more about creating a journey, something that stays with you, shifts with you, and maybe even transforms with you over time.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
One thing that completely changed the way I make music was realizing that less is often more, not just creatively, but technically as well.
In the beginning, I used to over-layer everything, thinking complexity would translate into impact. But over time, I learned that a strong idea doesn’t need to be crowded. It needs
space to breathe. Clean arrangement, proper gain staging, and leaving room in the mix can make a simple groove feel much more powerful.
I also started paying more attention to the relationship between elements, how the kick and bass interact, how percussion creates movement, and how small details can shift the entire energy of a track.
That shift made me focus less on adding and more on refining. Now it’s about intention, balance, and trusting the groove.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
My setup is relatively minimal, but very intentional. I mainly work in Ableton Live, it’s the center of my creative process. I like how fluid and fast it feels, especially when I’m building grooves and experimenting with ideas.
Percussion plays a huge role in my sound, so I spend a lot of time shaping drums, blending organic samples with digital processing. I also use a MIDI keyboard to keep things more musical and less rigid.
On the mixing and sound design side, I rely on a few trusted tools like FabFilter, Soundtoys, and iZotope. They give me precision, but also character when I need it. For dynamics and coloration, I sometimes bring in analog-style plugins from Waves or UAD.
That said, I try not to depend too much on gear or plugins. At the end of the day, it’s about the idea and the feeling, everything else is just there to support it.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
Lately, I’ve been really inspired by the South African scene, especially the artists around the Black Coffee circle. There’s a depth and authenticity in that sound that really resonates with me.
Artists like Da Capo, Caiiro, and Zakes Bantwini have been on heavy rotation. I also find a lot of inspiration in more underground names like Enoo Napa and THEMBA.
There’s something very honest about how they blend rhythm, culture, and emotion, it feels less like a trend and more like a movement.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
My personal experiences have shaped my music in a very natural and continuous way. I’ve spent a lot of time between different cities, cultures, and emotional states and that constant movement has definitely influenced how I hear and create music.
There’s a strong sense of transition in what I do. Moments of connection, distance, intensity, and solitude all find their way into my sound. I think that’s why my music often carries both energy and introspection at the same time.
Also, being on the road, traveling, and experiencing different environments has taught me how powerful music can be in shaping a moment. Whether it’s a crowded dancefloor or a quiet personal space, those experiences push me to create something that feels real and relatable.
In a way, my artistic vision is just a reflection of that journey, always evolving, always searching for something deeper.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
I don’t try to impose a specific message. I think music becomes more powerful when people can find their own meaning in it.
What I hope is that it creates a feeling. Something that connects, even in a subtle way. Whether it’s energy, nostalgia, tension, or release… I want it to resonate with whatever moment they’re in.
If my music can be part of someone’s journey on a dancefloor, during a late-night drive, or in a very personal, quiet moment that’s enough for me.
In the end, it’s about creating something honest. Something that people don’t just hear, but actually feel.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
The most important lesson music has taught me is patience. Nothing meaningful happens instantly, not a track, not a sound, not even a direction. Everything takes time to evolve. There were moments I wanted things to move faster, but looking back, I realize that every phase had a purpose. Music also taught me to trust the process to
keep showing up, even when things don’t feel clear. Sometimes you don’t find the idea, the idea finds you… but only if you’re there, ready for it. In a way, it’s not just about making music, it’s about learning how to listen, to yourself and to everything around you.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
There are a few places I feel really connected to. Burning Man is definitely one of them, not just as a festival, but as an experience. The idea of playing in such a raw, open environment where music, art, and people merge into one feels very inspiring to me. I’d also love to be part of Cercle events. The way they combine unique locations with music creates something very cinematic and timeless. On a larger scale, performing at Coachella would be incredible, it’s such an iconic platform with a global audience. And venues like Hï Ibiza represent that peak club experience, where sound, energy, and crowd all come together at the highest level. For me, it’s less about the size of the stage and more about the energy and connection in that moment. Whether it’s a desert, a historical location, or an intimate club, if the atmosphere is right, it becomes unforgettable.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
If I could collaborate with any artist, I’d probably choose more than one because the artists I’m drawn to each represent a different side of what inspires me.
From the electronic world, Black Coffee would definitely be one of the first names that comes to mind. The way he blends soul, rhythm, and minimalism into something so powerful and globally resonant is incredibly inspiring. I’d also say Moby and Paul Kalkbrenner, both of them have a very distinct way of creating emotional depth through simplicity. Their music feels timeless, honest, and deeply human.
At the same time, I’ve always been deeply connected to rock music, so artists like Thom Yorke, Richard Ashcroft, and Lenny Kravitz would also be dream collaborations for me. Each of them carries a very strong identity and emotional presence.
What really draws me to all of these artists is their ability to create something timeless, music that doesn’t just sound good, but carries a world, a feeling, and a perspective.
Blending that kind of raw, organic expression with electronic elements is something I find really exciting.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
You can find me on all major platforms, especially on Spotify, SoundCloud, and Instagram, where I share both my releases and ongoing projects. I try to keep everything connected, not just finished tracks, but also moments from the journey. Whether it’s new music, live sets, or ideas in progress, it all lives there. The best way to support is simply by listening, sharing, and being part of that process.
You can follow me here:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mtaxelmusic/
Spotify: Mt Axel : https://open.spotify.com/intl
tr/artist/7myK9BXxSmgYEGapapXZ3p?si=6fpZ_L2nRcywUZpLSInsVQ SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/mtaxel
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
Looking ahead, my vision is to keep evolving, both musically and personally. I don’t see this as a fixed destination, but more as a continuous journey of exploration. I want to take Mt Axel to more places around the world, connecting with different cultures and audiences, and letting those experiences shape the music in return. Playing in new environments, feeling different energies, and translating that into sound is something that really drives me.
At the same time, I’d love to deepen the emotional and artistic side of what I do, pushing the sound further, experimenting more, and creating music that feels even more timeless and personal. Ultimately, the goal is simple: to build something honest, something that grows with me, and something that people can connect with wherever they are in their own journey.
“It’s not about arriving somewhere, it’s about becoming something through the journey.”
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
I hope they discover that there’s a real person behind the music, someone who is constantly evolving, questioning, and feeling. I’m not trying to present something perfect or distant. If anything, I want my music to reflect honesty, the highs, the doubts, the transitions… everything that comes with being human. Along the way, I hope they start to recognize a certain emotional language in what I do. Something subtle, but consistent. Not just a sound, but a way of feeling.
And maybe, through that, they don’t just discover me, they discover something about themselves too.
If you want here you can add a representative Youtube video to insert below the interview 🙂
I’d love to share a piece that represents my sound and the journey behind it.
Here’s a track that captures the atmosphere, emotion, and energy I try to bring into my music:
MT AXEL Live Set at NOT IN PARIS // Dance Till They Come #47 // @Fethiye https://youtu.be/Rq-_ecUotyM?si=eGtIEyMA5OYn9Fr-
WK SHOWCASE: MT AXEL [LIVE RECORDED] AFRO HOUSE & AFRO TECH 2023 https://youtu.be/ui5GyvyuwQM?si=3GZN4KcdzqMByWsm
